| A letter from
"Joe" Hi, I need your opinion on two new boats we
are looking at. The first is a Regal 1900 LSR. It has a 6 cyl,
fuel injected MerCruiser and the other boat is a Four Winns 19ft
Horizon. It has an 8 cyl, carbureted Volvo Engine. Both boats
have I/Os. We are looking for a boat that is comfortable, smooth
riding, well built, and easy to handle. I know both boats have a
stepped hull, one more than the other. What I want to know is
which boat do you think would handle better. I don't want a boat
that has problems planing or one that has a tendency to
bounce/pound in rough water. What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Joe
Response from Bill
Hi Joe
You are a smart buyer! If more boaters took the time to
look at the practical side of the boat they buy, there would be
more happy boaters.
That's the good news. The bad news is you are asking me, which
is better - -
a Pontiac or a Chevrolet. Both boats should meet the criterion
you ask about.
The answer is this: Take a test ride in each OR sign a deal
subject to the boat
meeting your expectations.
The proof is in the pudding!
Thanks for the enquiry,
Bill.
PROBLEMS WITH MY CHAPARRAL
I purchased a new 1999 leftover 28 ft twin 350 MPI Chaparral
cuddy last August. I have had many failure type problems with
the boat. Far too many for a new boat. Examples: gas gauge
sending unit replaced; all gauges are connected from engine to
two "black computer boxes". All gauges failed this June due to
failure of these boxes; dealer reports many are failing; drive
fluid leaks on both drives; very poor quality of fit on
carpeting and cockpit cover, etc.
What is most disgraceful is that Chaparral so called
"customer service never returns calls from messages and doesn't
even respond to faxed letters. They refused to help with the
"black box problem, telling the dealer "you can probably get
faster service going directly to the gauge manufacturer. It took
2 months of a short New Jersey summer to obtain two new black
boxes. Of course if they fail again I'm again at the gauge
manufacturer's mercy. Chaparral acts as if it isn't their fault
that they chose to use an unusual system of gauges.
The bottom line is that Chaparral quality is very poor and
they are an arrogant manufacturer that refuses to have any
interest in their customers.
JT
A letter from "R"
I am looking for some type of comparison chart of ski boats.
I'm familiar with auto ratings (Cadillac Vs Chevrolet) among the
different manufacturers, but I don't know where there is a list
ranking the boat brand names.
I have a 1990 Sunbird 150SPL and I am looking to upgrade. Can
you provide any type of listing?
R
Response from Bill
Dear R
Actually, such a comparison does not exist. It would be a
great help in sorting out the manufacturer's claims, but even
the water ski magazine comparisons of things like wake and pull,
have to stay unspecific when it comes to ratings, in
consideration of the boat manufacturer advertising revenues.
Then too, there would have to be a broad cross section of skiers
in the tests, since we all have our own subjective opinions
about which boat we like best. I think the answer would be for
you to come up with funding for a ski test project, then you
could join our team and do the ski boat comparison ratings.
Thanks for writing.
Bill.
A letter from "D"
Hello,
I have a 2000, 18'6" Chaparral boat. I love it, it is smooth,
quick out of the hole and comfortable. I think the service lacks
some follow through with repairs of small problems. This is my
third boat, I have had a Larson and a Bayliner. Without
reservation it has been the best of the bunch.
"D"
Response from Bill
Hi "D",
Thanks for letting our readers know you are happy with
your Chaparral.
They are a splendid boat, aren't they?
Keep in mind though, that in recent years, the major boat
manufacturers have made such dramatic improvements in both
design, and quality of construction, that it is never fair to
compare a new boat with one of an earlier vintage.
Happy boating,
Bill. |
Glacier Bay Fuel
Tank Leaks I own a 97 Glacier Bay 220. Last month
we discovered the starboard fuel tank was leaking. Upon removing
the tank we found that the factory had failed to install a
fiberglass "bumper" in the fuel tank compartment. The screws
holding the tank down had backed out allowing the tank to move
around in the compartment since the bumpers were not there to
prevent movement. The motion of the tank against the fiberglass
lapping next to the tank rubbed a hole through the aluminum and
the tank leaked. We also discovered some cracks in the
compartments forward of the tank which do not appear to be
related, as they are on both sides of the boat. There are also
some cracks thru the gelcoat on the outside of the hull where
both hulls attach to the top of the tunnel. Glacier Bay has been
really great about the repairs so far. They had a new fuel tank
manufactured and shipped down to me and one of their local
structural fiberglass people here in Texas is picking the boat
up today to install the new tank and repair the cracks. Have
there been other Glacier Bays with this problem? The obvious
question on my mind is whether the tank on the port side was
installed the same way and what is causing those cracks in the
hull? The boat has never hit anything harder than a 6 foot wave,
we only trailer it about an eighth of a mile from dry storage to
boat ramp and it handles beautifully in just about any kind of
seas. Any others out there like mine?
JB in Houston
A letter from "K"
We are considering buying a used boat and I could use your
help.
We have looked at several boats and have it narrowed down to
2. A 1997 Four Winns Horizon and a 2000 VIP. I have read your
ratings on Four Winns boats but have not found any information
about VIP. The price is basically the same. I think the VIP is
the better deal but the Four Winns seems much bigger inside but
it has no carpet. I think that could be easily remedied. Either
have carpet put in or have the rhino liner sprayed in. What's
your opinion?
Thanks,
K
Response from Bill
Hi K
In your note questioning which boat to choose, there were
a lot of things missing on your list of considerations. Maybe if
you give yourself honest answers to the following, you will have
enough confidence to decide.
Has an independent surveyor passed his opinion on the
condition of each boat? It is a small price to pay, relative to
the total cost and dollar risk. Don't buy one if it "needs a
little work". If both are in top condition, factor in a 15% a
year depreciation from the original list price on each, to see
what the asking price should be. Comparing that number to what
they want, will tell you which is really the best deal. Also,
remember, clean three year old boats are often a good deal
because, the steep side of the depreciation curve is already
gone.
Is the dollar budget an important factor? If not, it is
always nice to buy the newest. There should be some warranty
left. Get it in writing.
The person that you would most likely sell this boat to
when you do, will probably be more concerned with performance
than with carpets. I personally find that carpets collect dust
and stains, while a non-skid glass cockpit can be hosed out and
forgotten.
One last tip. Don't be afraid to negotiate.
Happy decisions,
Bill.
A letter from "S.B."
We own a Liberator and my husband is not happy with the MPH
he gets out of it. He says it should top out at 50 MPH and he is
only getting 47 MPH. Is this info right? He is driving me crazy
with everything he is experimenting with to get it to go faster.
I just tell him he's stuck with a slow boat. He won't have it!
Do you have any suggestions?
Hope you can help!
S.B.
Response from Bill
Dear S.
Your husband is right !!
No self respecting guy wants to fall 3 mph short of the big
'5-0' mark If you e-mail me the propeller size and its material,
along with the rpm's that the boat will run wide open throttle,
I may have a propeller recommendation to make up the miles.
Another way to get those extra couple of miles might be to let
you drive.
Keep in mind though, that once he reaches 50 mph, the goal
will move to 60.
Happy motoring,
Bill.
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